Iranian Linked 'Al Quds' Ad Campaign Sparks Outrage in London

Jewish groups have expressed outrage over an advertisement campaign for an ‘Al Quds’ rally that has appeared on hundreds of buses in London.

By Rachel Hirshfeld

First Publish: 8/15/2012, 1:14 PM

Anti-Israel demonstration by PA Arabs and foreign activ

Israel news photo: Flash 90

Jewish groups have expressed outrage over an advertisement campaign for an "Al Quds" rally that has appeared on hundreds of buses running in London.

Despite objections, though, Transport for London (TfL) has refused to remove the posters, but claims it is reviewing its advertisement policy.

While the posters describe the annual "Al-Quds" day rally as an event focused on "the freedom of the Palestinians," it is, in fact, used as a forum to espouse anti-Israel hatred.

"Al Quds (Jerusalem) Day," which marks the Friday before the conclusion of the month of Ramadan, was established in 1979 by Ayatollah Khomeni as a way for the Arab-Muslim world to express support for the "Palestinian cause" and the "liberation of Jerusalem."

The original declaration states that Israel is “the enemy of mankind, the enemy of humanity, which is creating disturbances every day and is attacking our brothers…”

Since then, Al Quds events have become a stage for anti-Israel and anti-Western incitement and take place annually in locations throughout the world, including the United Kingdom, where they are organized primarily by the Islamic Human Rights Commission. This year’s event will take place August 17 in central London.

Gili Brenner, executive of the StandWithUs Israel education and advocacy organization, told the International Business Times, “If the decision is not to remove the ads, then the residents of London have a serious reason to be concerned about who gets to have the final say in their city. The Iran-backed groups behind the ads have an extremist and hateful agenda, and the purpose of Al-Quds Day is clear: calling for the destruction of Israel.

"As such, the ads are in clear breach of various TFL and Advertising Standards Authority clauses, and by keeping them TFL is acting unlawfully,” she said.

"I am disappointed as we have had positive correspondence about the issue with the mayor's office and still hope to see the ads removed. Make no mistake about it, the same logic which rejects a minute of silence to commemorate the 1972 athletes at the Olympics is at work here. It is called pandering to extremism and it is not liberal or enlightened. It is dangerous," Brenner asserted.